Benton Middle-Senior High School

Benton Middle Senior High School
Address
600 Green Acres Road Benton, Pennsylvania, Columbia County 17814 United States
Coordinates	41°11′57″N 76°22′42″W / 41.1993°N 76.3782°W / 41.1993; -76.3782Coordinates: 41°11′57″N 76°22′42″W / 41.1993°N 76.3782°W / 41.1993; -76.3782
Information
Type	Public
School board	9 locally elected members
School district	Benton Area School District
Superintendent	Joseph Casarella acting Superintendent effective July 1, 2014, Salary $60,000[1] Former Superintendent Penny Lenig-Zerby
Director	William A. Pasukinis, Athletic Director
Faculty	27[2]
Grades	7th - 12th
Age	14 years old to 21 years special education
Pupils	295 pupils (2014)[3] 313 pupils (2012-13)[4] 324 pupils (2009-10),[5] 381 pupils (2006-07)[6]
• Grade 7	57 (2012), 66 (2010)
• Grade 8	56 (2012), 50 (2010)
• Grade 9	53 (2012), 53
• Grade 10	50 (2012), 52
• Grade 11	45 (2012), 55
• Grade 12	52 (2012), 56
• Grade 13	17 (2010)
Language	English
Color(s)	Orange
Team name	Tigers
Feeder schools	L.R. Appleman Elementary School (K-6th)
Website	http://www.bentonsd.k12.pa.us/Domain/8

Benton Middle Senior High School is a tiny, rural, public combined middle school and high school in Benton, Pennsylvania. In 2013, enrollment was 313 pupils in grades 7th through12, with 26% of pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. Additionally, 17.25% of its pupils received special education services and 6% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 34 teachers.^[7] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Benton Middle Senior High School serves: the Boroughs of Benton and Stillwater and Benton Township, Fishing Creek Township, Jackson Township and Sugarloaf Township in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. The school is the sole middle school and high school operated by the Benton Area School District.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, Benton Middle Senior High School reported an enrollment of 341 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 146 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 33.5 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 10:1.^[8] Per a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.^[9]

Graduation rate

In 2014, Benton Area School District graduation rate was 100%.^[10]

• 2013 - 95.83%.^[11]
• 2011 and 2012 - 98%.^[12]
• 2010 - 98%, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate.^[13]

Former AYP graduation rate

• 2010 - 97%^[14]
• 2009 - 96%^[15]
• 2008 - 90%
• 2007 - 90%
• 2006 - 96%^[16]
• 2005 - 94%^[17]

2014 School Performance Profile

Benton Area Middle/High School achieved 69.4 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 79% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 79.8% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 65.9% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course. Eighth grades were tested in writing, with 73% showed on grade level writing skills.^[18][19] Statewide, the percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in Algebra I increased to 39.7% to 40.1%. The percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in reading/literature declined to 52.5%. The percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in biology improved from 39.7% to 41.4%.^[20]

2013 School Performance Profile

Benton Junior Senior High School achieved 72.7 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 77% were on grade level. In mathematics/Algebra 1, 78.5% showed on grade level skills. In Science/Biology, 68.66% showed on grade level science understanding. Eighth grades were tested in writing, with 72% showed on grade level writing skills.^[21] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher. Pennsylvania 11th grade students no longer take the PSSAs. Instead, they now take the Keystone Exams at the end of the associated course.^[22]

AYP History

In 2012, Benton Middle Senior High School declined to Warning Adequate YEarly Progress (AYP) status due to lagging student academic achievement.^[23] In 2011 and 2010, Benton Middle Senior High School achieved AYP status. From2004 to 2009, Benton Middle Senior High School achieved AYP status each school year. In 2003, the school was in Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement.

Benton High School ranked 444 out of 610 Pennsylvania high schools, vocational schools, and charter schools for student academic achievement as demonstrated on the PSSAs for math and reading, in 2009.^[24]

PSSA results

Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are NCLB related examination given in the Spring of each school year. From 1999 to 2012, Pennsylvania eleventh graders took the PSSAs in reading, mathematics, science and writing. Sixth and seventh grades are tested in reading and mathematics since 2006. Eighth graders are tested in: reading, writing, mathematics and Science. Beginning in the Spring of 2013, eighth graders, who are enrolled in Algebra I take the Keystone Exam for Algebra I at the end of the course. The testing of 8th grade in reading and mathematics began in 1999. Testing in science began in 2007. The goal is for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focus on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The standards were first published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.^[25]

In 2013, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania changed its high school assessments to the Keystone Exams in Algebra 1, Reading/literature and Biology1. The exams are given at the end of the course, rather than all in the spring of the student's 11th grade year.^[26]

11th Grade Reading:

• 2012 - 62% on grade level, (12% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[27]
• 2011 - 60.9% (28.2% below basic). State - 69.1% (46 pupils.) Ranks 17th out of 19 high schools in CSIU 16 region for reading.^[28][29]
• 2010 - 54%, State - 66% ^[30]
• 2009 - 57%, State – 65% ^[31]
• 2008 - 66.6%, State – 65% ^[32][33]
• 2007 - 47.3%, State – 65% ^[34]

11th Grade Mathematics:

• 2012 - 65% on grade level (20% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[35]
• 2011 - 65.2%, (27% below basic). State - 60.3%. Ranked 10th out of 18 CSIU16 region high schools for math achievement of 11th graders.^[36][37]
• 2010 - 44%, State - 59%. Ranked 17th out of 18 CSIU16 region high schools for math achievement of 11th graders.^[38][39]
• 2009 - 52.7%, State – 56%. Ranked 10th out of 18 CSIU16 region high schools for math achievement of 11th graders.^[40]
• 2008 - 60.8%, State – 56%
• 2007 - 49.1%, State – 53%^[41]
• 2006 - 63%, State – 52%^[42]
• 2005 - 53%, State – 51%

11th Grade Writing (percent proficient or better)

• 2009 – 91% on grade level^[43]
• 2008 - 80.9% on grade level
• 2007 - 61%

11th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 48% on grade level (8% below basic). State - 44% of 11th graders were on grade level.
• 2011 - 50% (16% below basic). State – 40%. Benton High School ranked 8th out of 18 CSIU 16 region high schools for 11th grade Science.^[44]
• 2010 - 34%, State – 39%. Benton High School ranked 16th out of 18 CSIU 16 region high schools in 11th grade Science achievement.^[45]
• 2009 - 47%, State - 40%^[46]
• 2008 - 38.8%, State - 35.5%^[47]

Science in Motion Benton Middle Senior High School did not take advantage of a state program called Science in Motion which brought college professors and sophisticated science equipment to the school to raise science awareness and to provide inquiry-based experiences for the students. The Science in Motion program was funded by a state appropriation and cost the school nothing to participate.^[48] Susquehanna University provided the science enrichment experiences to schools in the region.

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 20% of Benton Area High School graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges.^[49] Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years.^[50] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in mathematics, reading or English.

Dual enrollment

Benton Area High School does not offer the Pennsylvania dual enrollment program which permits students to earn deeply discounted college credits while still enrolled in high school. The program is offered through over 400 school districts with the assistance of a state grant.^[51] In 2010-11, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students, from the Commonwealth, due to a state budget crisis.

The High School does not participate in the Penn College NOW classes offered by Pennsylvania College of Technology to schools in the region.^[52]

Graduation requirements

The Benton Area School Board has determined that a student must complete at least 25 credits for graduation, including: English 4 credits, Math 4 credits, Science 4 credits, Social Studies 4 credits, Health 0.50 credit, Physical Education 1.32 credits, Computer 2 credits, Drivers Ed 0.33 credits and 6.85 electives.^[53]

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district. .^[54] Effective with the graduating class of 2017, the Pennsylvania Board of Education eliminated the state mandate that students complete a culminating project in order to graduate.^[55]

By Pennsylvania State School Board regulations, beginning with the class of 2017, public school students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, and English Literature by passing the Keystone Exams.^[56][57][58] For the class of 2019, a composition exam will be added. For the class of 2020, passing a civics and government exam will be added to the graduation requirements.^[59] In 2011, Pennsylvania high school students field tested the Algebra 1, Biology and English Lit exams. The statewide results were: Algebra 1 38% on grade level, Biology 35% on grade level and English Lit - 49% on grade level.^[60] Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students identified as having special needs and qualifying for an Individual Educational Program (IEP) may graduate by meeting the requirements of their IEP.

SAT scores

In 2014, Benton Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 475. The Math average score was 482. The Writing average score was 463.^[61] Statewide in Pennsylvania, Verbal Average Score was 497. The Math average score was 504. The Writing average score was 480. The College Board also reported that nationwide scores were: 497 in reading, 513 in math and 487 in writing.^[62]

In 2013, 34 Benton Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 531. The Math average score was 497. The Writing average score was 496.76. The College Board reported that statewide scores were: 494 in reading, 504 in math and 482 in writing. The nationwide SAT results were the same as in 2012.^[63]

In 2012, 27 Benton Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 506. The Math average score was 504. The Writing average score was 477. The statewide Verbal SAT exams results were: Verbal 491, Math 501, Writing 480. In the USA, 1.65 million students took the exams achieving scores: Verbal 496, Math 514, Writing 488. According to the College Board the maximum score on each section was 800, and 360 students nationwide scored a perfect 2,400.

In 2011, 31 Benton Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 478. The Math average score was 478. The Writing average score was 445.^[64] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.^[65] In the United States, 1.65 million students took the exam in 2011. They averaged 497 (out of 800) verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing.^[66]

The Pennsylvania Department of Education compared the SAT data of students in rural areas of Pennsylvania to students in urban areas. From 2003 to 2005, the average total SAT score for students in rural Pennsylvania was 992, while urban students averaged 1,006. During the same period, 28 percent of 11th and 12th graders in rural school districts took the exam, compared to 32 percent of urban students in the same grades. The average math and verbal scores were 495 and 497, respectively, for rural students, while urban test-takers averaged 499 and 507, respectively. Pennsylvania’s SAT composite score ranked low on the national scale in 2004. The composite SAT score of 1,003 left Pennsylvania ranking 44 out of the 50 states and Washington, DC.^[67]

The Pennsylvania Department of Education reported that 71 percent of students in rural areas of Pennsylvania chose to continue their education after high school in 2003, whereas 79 percent of urban high school graduates opted to continue their education.

ACE

Benton Middle High School students have access to Bloomsburg University's Summer College and Advanced College Experience (ACE) during the summer of their sophomore, junior and senior years (after high school graduation). Tuition is deeply discounted to 75% of the regular student rate.^[68] Successful students earn college credits that can be transferred to other Pennsylvania public colleges and universities through the Pennsylvania TRAC system.^[69]

AP Courses

In 2013, Benton Middle High School offered 2 Advanced Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. Students have the option of taking College Board approved courses and then taking the College Board's examination in the Spring. Students, who achieve a 3 or better on the exam, may be awarded college credits at US universities and colleges. Each higher education institution sets its own standards about what level of credits are awarded to a student based on their AP exam score. Most higher education give credits for scores of 4 or 5. Some schools also give credits for scores of 3. High schools give credits towards graduation to students who take the school's AP class. At Benton High School 52% of students, who took an AP course in 2013, earned a 3 or better on the exam.^[70] In 2014, Benton Middle Senior High School offered 3 AP courses, with 53% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.^[71]

Middle school

PSSAs are NCLB related examination given in the Spring of each school year. Sixth and seventh grades are tested in reading and mathematics since 2006. Eighth graders are tested in: reading, writing, mathematics and Science. Beginning in the Spring of 2013, eighth graders, who are enrolled in Algebra I take the Keystone Exam for Algebra I at the end of the course. The testing of 8th grade in reading and mathematics began in 1999. Testing in science began in 2007. The goal is for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focus on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The standards were first published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.^[25]

Eighth grade

8th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 64% on grade level (17% below basic). State - 59% of 8th graders were on grade level.
• 2011 - 61.9% (19% below basic). State - 58.3% ^[77]
• 2010 – 63%, State – 57%
• 2009 – 62%, State - 55%^[78]
• 2008 – 60%, State – 50%

Seventh grade

Tuition

Students who live in the District's attendance area may choose to attend one of Pennsylvania's 157 public charter schools. A student living in a neighboring public school district or a foreign exchange student may seek admission to Area School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each school district. It is the amount the public school district pays to a charter school for each resident student that attends the charter and it is the amount a nonresident student's parents must pay to attend the Benton Area School District's schools. The 2012 tuition rate for the Benton Middle Senior High School was $9,914.11.^[84]

Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The state grant requires the district hire a part-time technology coach, whose role is to assist the teachers in using the equipment and software effectively to improve their instruction. The salary is covered by the grant.^[85] The program was funded from 2006–2009. Benton Area School District was denied funding by the Rendell Administration, in 2006–07. The District applied again and received $109,661 in 2007–08 and $45,413 in 2008–09 for a total funding of $155,074.^[86] Among public schools in Columbia County, Berwick Area School District received the largest grant - $403,446. The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County - $9,409,073. The grant program was discontinued by Governor Edward Rendell as part of the 2009-10 state budget.

School safety and bullying

The Benton Middle Senior High School administration reported there were thirteen (13) incidents of bullying in the school in 2012. Additionally, there was a case of harassment and two sexual harassment incidents. The local law enforcement was involved in six incidents at the school with 4 arrests.^[87][88] Each year the school safety data is reported by the district to the Safe School Center which then publishes the compiled reports online.

The Benton Area School Board has provided the District's anti bullying/cyberbullying policy online.^[89] All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the District must conduct an annual review of that policy with students.^[90] The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.^[91][92]

Education standards relating to student safety and anti harassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.^[93]

School Safety grants

In 2013, Benton Area School District did not participate in a state Safe Schools Targeted Grant. The maximum of $25,000 grants were awarded through a competitive application process.^[94] The funds must be used for research based interventions, like: peer mediation, staff training in managing behavioral issues and creating a positive school climate. Nor did the Benton Area School Board apply for a Pennsylvania School Resource Officer and Police Officer grant in 2013.^[95]

Wellness policy

Benton Area School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006.^[96] The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation (P.L. 108 – 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006."

The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts are required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.^[97] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

Highmark Healthy High 5 grant

In 2011, Benton Area School District received funding through a Highmark Healthy High 5 grant. Benton Area High School received $4,848 which was used to purchase equipment to implement the Benton Wii Play 60 program to enhance current physical education programming.^[98] Beginning in 2006, Highmark Foundation engaged in a 5-year, $100 million program to promote lifelong healthy behaviors in children and adolescents through local nonprofits and schools.

Food service

Benton Middle Senior High School offers both: a free school breakfast and free or reduced-price lunch to low-income children. The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.^[99] All students attending the school can eat breakfast and lunch. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are provided a breakfast and lunch at no cost to the family. Children from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level can be charged no more than 30 cents per breakfast. A foster child whose care and placement is the responsibility of the State or who is placed by a court with a caretaker household is eligible for both a free breakfast and a free lunch. Runaway, homeless and Migrant Youth are also automatically eligible for free meals.^[100] The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.^[99]

In 2013, the USDA issued new restrictions to foods in public schools. The rules apply to foods and beverages sold on all public school district campuses during the day. They limit vending machine snacks to a maximum of 200 calories per item. Additionally, all snack foods sold at school must meet competitive nutrient standards, meaning they must have fruits, vegetables, dairy or protein in them or contain at least 10 percent of the daily value of fiber, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D.^[101] In order to comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 all US public school districts are required to raise the price of their school lunches to $2.60 regardless of the actual cost of providing the lunch.^[102] In 2014, President Obama ordered a prohibition of advertisements for unhealthy foods on public school campuses during the school day.^[103] The Food and Drug Administration requires that students take milk as their beverage at lunch. In accordance with this law, any student requesting water in place of milk with their lunch must present a written request, signed by a doctor, documenting the need for water instead of milk.^[104][105]

Benton Area School District provides health services as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. Nurses are available in each building to conduct annual health screenings (data reported to the PDE and state Department of Health) and to dispense prescribed medications to students during the school day. Students can be excluded from school unless they comply with all the State Department of Health’s extensive immunization mandates. School nurses monitor each pupil for this compliance.^[106] Nurses also monitor each child's weight.

Extracurriculars

The Benton Middle Senior High School offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and a costly sports program. By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs, including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.^[107][108]

Music (band and choral) are offered, as well as Drama Club, Key Club, SADD, and FFA, Yearbook Club, Odyssey of the Mind, Technology Club, Academic Tutors, Library Club and a chapter of the National Honor Society. Advisors receive compensation in accordance with the teachers' union contract.

Sports

Varsity and junior varsity athletic activities are under the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association and the regional Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference.^[109] The Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference is a voluntary association of 25 PIAA High Schools within the central Pennsylvania region. Eligibility for participation is determined by Benton Area School Board policy.^[110][111] All sports coaches, paid and volunteer, are required to annually complete the Concussion Management Certification Training and present the certification before coaching, as per Senate Bill 200 of Session 2011, the Safety in Youth Sports Act, effective July 1, 2012.^[112] The Athletic Director is Bill Pasukinis. The District has contracted with Geisinger Sports Medicine for athletic trainer services.

According to PA Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Act 126 of 2014, all volunteer coaches and all those who assist in student activities, must have criminal background checks. Like all school district employees, they must also attend an anti child abuse training once every three years.^{[113][114][115]}

Benton Area School District does not provide its athletics disclosure form on its web site.^[116] Article XVI-C of the Public School Code requires the disclosure of interscholastic athletic opportunities for all public secondary school entities in Pennsylvania. All school entities with grades 7-12 are required to annually collect data concerning team and financial information for all male and female athletes beginning with the 2012-13 school year and submit the information to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Beginning with the 2013-14 school year, all non-school (booster club and alumni) contributions and purchases must also be reported to PDE.^[117]

Coaches receive compensation as outlined in the teachers' union contract. When athletic competition exceeds the regular season, additional compensation is paid.^[118]

The District funds:

Middle School Sports

According to PIAA directory July 2012 ^[119]

References